Autistic Small Talk | Podcast on RSS.com

Autistic Small Talk

Autistic Small Talk

by Vanessa Yaremchuk and Vince Freeborn

Society & Culture

Self-Identifying as Autistic & the Profound Problems with Functioning Labels

Vince and Vanessa review, in a trice, research about who self-identifies as Autistic and why, followed by a state-of-the-art paper on why terms like "profound autism" and functioning labels (i.e.: high-functioning or low-functioning) end up causing harm. Ahuvia IL, Gurbuz E, Cuda J, et al. Identifying as Autistic Without a Formal Diagnosis: Who Self-Identifies as Autistic and Why? Autism in Adulthood. 2026;0(0). doi:10.1177/25739581251409920 https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/25739581251409920 Kapp, S.K. Profound Concerns about “Profound Autism”: Dangers of Severity Scales and Functioning Labels for Support Needs. Educ. Sci. 2023, 13, 106. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci13020106 https://www.mdpi.com/2081376 Show notes

Autistic Burnout and Unmasking

Vince and Vanessa race through a discussion of Autistic Burnout by going through a paper that describes it and its causes. Masking is a big contributor so they also talk about Devon Price's book Unmasking for Life. They open with describing implicit bias. Show notes

Mad Studies and Neurodiversity

Vince and Vanessa talk with some alacrity about how Mad Studies and Neurodiversity can work together, as well as about Mad History and Politics. Show Notes

Hypercuriosity and Critical ADHD Studies

Vince and Vanessa zip through 2 papers on hypercuriosity as a framework for ADHD. The first lays out the theory, and the second is a survey-based study on curiosity and ADHD traits. They then discuss a paper making a call for the establishment of Critical ADHD Studies as a field. Show Notes Spoon Theory The original spoon theory essay: https://web-wp.archive.org/web/20251002173043/https://www.butyoudontlooksick.com/articles/written-by-christine/the-spoon-theory/ Christine Miserandino reading her original piece about spoon theory: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jn5IBsm49Rk Spoon Theory For Autism And ADHD: The Neurodivergent Spoon Drawer https://neurodivergentinsights.com/the-neurodivergent-spoon-drawer-spoon-theory-for-adhders-and-autists Hypercuriosity Le Cunff, AL. Distractibility and Impulsivity in ADHD as an Evolutionary Mismatch of High Trait Curiosity. Evolutionary Psychological Science 10, 282–297 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40806-024-00400-8 https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40806-024-00400-8 The Hypercurious Mind https://aeon.co/essays/how-the-hypercuriosity-of-adhd-may-have-helped-humans-thrive Le Cunff, AL., Russell, C. & Dommett, E.J. Hyperactive–impulsive ADHD traits predict higher curiosity in adults: evidence from a cross-sectional study. BMC Psychol (2026). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-026-04504-7 https://www.researchgate.net/publication/403686915_Hyperactive-impulsive_ADHD_traits_predict_higher_curiosity_in_adults_evidence_from_a_cross-sectional_study Calls For Critical ADHD Studies Jackson-Perry, D., Bertilsdotter Rosqvist, H., & Brown, A. I. (2025). Moving forward: a call for Critical ADHD Studies. Disability & Society, 40(12), 3519–3524. https://doi.org/10.1080/09687599.2025.2458016 https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/09687599.2025.2458016 Max characters reached. Show notes continued here: https://autisticsmalltalk.com

Autistic Flow

Vince and Vanessa discourse expediently upon 2 papers about Autistic Flow. The first describes a proposed theory of Autistic Flow and the second is a qualitative study of Autistic people transitioning in and out of flow. We also talk about anarchist callisthenics. Anarchist Callisthenics Anarchist Callisthenics video https://www.tiktok.com/@jonjon.jpeg/video/7597533190965808398 The Happy Urbanist https://www.thehappyurbanist.city/ Autistic Flow Heasman, B., Williams, G., Charura, D., Hamilton, L. G., Milton, D., & Murray, F. (2024). Towards autistic flow theory: A non-pathologising conceptual approach. Journal for the Theory of Social Behaviour, 54(4), 469–497. https://doi.org/10.1111/jtsb.12427 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/share/JDZZFXR6URAUQTXPD34U?target=10.1111/jtsb.12427 A podcast of the authors discussing the paper: https://youtu.be/lGrLMPXJAuk Wain, D., G.Williams, D.Charura, et al. 2026. “Transitioning in and out of Autistic Flow: A Qualitative Study Presenting a Non-Pathologising Approach to Autistic Well-Being and Conceptualising Autistic Ways of Being in Clinical and Therapeutic Settings.” Counselling and Psychotherapy Research26, no. 1: e70073. https://doi.org/10.1002/capr.70073. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/share/CXWVCJMS7ST8E6MNAXNK?target=10.1002/capr.70073 Character limit reached. Show notes continued at: https://autisticsmalltalk.com

Models of Disability and Research Supporting Damian Milton's Double Empathy Problem

Vince and Vanessa concisely review 9 different models of disability and a chapter in "Conversations on Empathy",authored by Damian Milton, Krysia Emily Waldock, and Nathan Keates, and titled: Autism and the ‘double empathy problem’. Odd Pride (Astrid) https://oddpride.com/ Shanidar 1 https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2020/06/17/878896381/ancient-bones-oﬀer-clues-to-how-long-ago-humans-cared-for-the-vulnerable Disability Models Lawson, A., & Beckett, A. E. (2021). The social and human rights models of disability: towards a complementarity thesis. The International Journal of Human Rights, 25(2), 348–379. https://doi.org/10.1080/13642987.2020.1783533 https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13642987.2020.1783533#d1e177 Berghs M, Atkin K, Graham H, et al. Implications for public health research of models and theories of disability: a scoping study and evidence synthesis. Southampton (UK): NIHR Journals Library; 2016 Jul. (Public Health Research, No. 4.8.) doi: 10.3310/phr04080 Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK378941/ 10 Principles of Disability Justice https://sinsinvalid.org/10-principles-of-disability-justice/ Damian Milton The Participatory Autism Research Collective https://participatoryautismresearch.wordpress.com/2025/12/18/parc-critical-autism-studies-conference-2026-call-for-submissions/ The Double Empathy Problem Milton, Damian & Waldock, Krysia & Keates, Nathan. (2023). Autism and the ‘double empathy problem’. 10.4324/9781003189978-6. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/366888965_Autism_and_the_'double_empathy_problem' Milton, Damian. (2012). On the ontological status of autism: The 'double empathy problem'. Disability & Society - DISABIL SOC. 27. 1-5. 10.1080/09687599.2012.710008. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/254245139_On_the_ontological_status_of_autism_The_'double_empathy_problem' Character limit reached Show notes continued at: https://autisticsmalltalk.com

Nick Walker's Doctoral Dissertation Part 3

Vince and Vanessa efficiently finish their discussion of Nick Walker’s dissertation (Transformative Somatic Practices and Autistic Potentials: An Autoethnographic Exploration). They talk about ParaTheatrical ReSearch, autistic aptitudes, reconnecting with stimming, and autistic wellbeing. Nick Walker’s doctoral dissertation Walker, Nick (2019) Transformative Somatic Practices and Autistic Potentials: An Autoethnographic Exploration. [Doctoral Dissertaion, California Institute of Integral Studies]. https://neuroqueer.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Nick_Walker_Dissertation.pdf Weird Luck (Nick Walker’s comic with co-creators Andrew M. Reichart, and Mike Bennewitz) https://weirdluck.net/ Connected with Jen and Shannon What the Heck is Embodiment Anyway with Nick Walker https://youtu.be/MgXQG9lP-Bc?si=cgTCn2a1dn8RUPnu ParaTheatrical ReSearch Archive https://www.paratheatrical.com/info.html Expressive Movement/Dance Therapies (Transformative somatic practices for reconnecting to stimming) Continuum https://continuummovement.com Authentic Movement https://www.authenticmovementinstitute.com/authenticmovement Songs of the Gorilla Nation Songs of the Gorilla Nation by Dawn Prince-Hughes https://www.indiebookstores.ca/book/9781400050581/

Nick Walker's Doctoral Dissertation Part 2

Vince and Vanessa dash through part 2 of their discussion of Transformative Somatic Practices and Autistic Potentials: An Autoethnographic Exploration by Nick Walker. This includes stories of Nick Walker's experiences with aikido, how he came to start training, how it changed his embodiment, and how his autistic traits benefitted not only him but his students. Nick Walker’s doctoral dissertation Walker, Nick (2019) Transformative Somatic Practices and Autistic Potentials: An Autoethnographic Exploration. [Doctoral Dissertaion, California Institute of Integral Studies]. https://neuroqueer.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Nick_Walker_Dissertation.pdf Nick Walker’s writings https://neuroqueer.com/ Murmurations Beautiful footage by Jan van IJken of starling flight: https://youtu.be/V4f_1_r80RY?si=6fl9VCIUnFiuPIYT

Nick Walker's Doctoral Dissertation Part 1

Vince and Vanessa fly through part 1 of excitedly describing Nick Walker’s doctoral dissertation, which is entitled: Transformative Somatic Practices and Autistic Potentials: An Autoethnographic Exploration. As you can imagine, Vanessa is completely delighted. Nick Walker’s doctoral dissertation Walker, Nick (2019) Transformative Somatic Practices and Autistic Potentials: An Autoethnographic Exploration. [Doctoral Dissertaion, California Institute of Integral Studies]. https://neuroqueer.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Nick_Walker_Dissertation.pdf ABA causing harm Citations from Nick Walker’s dissertation about lifelong post-traumatic stress symptoms: Asasumasu, K. (2013b, November 7). The tyranny of indistinguishability: performance [Web log post]. Retrieved from http://timetolisten.blogspot.com/2013/11/the-tyranny-of-indistinguishability.html Bascom, J. (2012). Quiet hands. In J. Bascom (Ed.), Loud hands: Autistic people, speaking (pp. 177–182). Washington, DC: Autistic Press. Dawson, M. (2004). The misbehaviour of behaviourists: Ethical challenges to the autism-ABA industry. Retrieved from http://www.sentex.net/~nexus23/naa_aba.html Kupferstein, H. (2018). Evidence of increased PTSD symptoms in autistics exposed to applied behavior analysis. Advances in Autism, (4)1, 19–29. Silberman, S. (2015). NeuroTribes: The legacy of autism and the future of neurodiversity. New York, NY: Avery. Yergeau, M. (2018). Authoring autism: On rhetoric and neurological queerness. Durham, NC: Duke University Press.

Dyslexic Strengths

Vince and Vanessa have a brisk chat about Dyslexic Strengths and Complimentary Cognition. Professor Chesko: “You Can’t Blame Everything on Your Autism” A Response to a Critique I Never Asked For By the excellent Professor Chesko https://open.substack.com/pub/thespeechprof/p/you-cant-blame-everything-on-your?utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web Dyslexic Strengths and Complementary Cognition: Taylor H and Vestergaard MD (2022) Developmental Dyslexia: Disorder or Specialization in Exploration?. Front. Psychol. 13:889245. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.889245 https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.889245/full Taylor H, Fernandes B, Wraight S. The Evolution of Complementary Cognition: HumansCooperatively Adapt and Evolve through a System of Collective Cognitive Search. Cambridge Archaeological Journal. 2022;32(1):61-77. doi:10.1017/S0959774321000329 https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/cambridge-archaeological-journal/article/evolution-of-complementary-cognition-humans-cooperatively-adapt-and-evolve-through-a-system-of-collective-cognitivesearch/F198B30682343E92C7E9C986332D380A Erbeli, F.; Rice, M.; Paracchini, S. Insights into Dyslexia Genetics Research from the Last Two Decades. Brain Sci. 2022, 12, 27. https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci12010027 Neanderthal Art: It’s Oﬃcial: Neanderthals Created Art https://www.sapiens.org/archaeology/neanderthal-art-discovery/

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